Psychosomatic Disorders: When Your Mind Damages Your Body

Psychosomatic disorders are proof of the power the mind can have on the body. In a psychosomatic episode, the patient experiences a series of real physical symptoms related to an invisible illness. The condition therefore does not exist on a biological level. Rather, it is the result of mental conflicts or unresolved issues that consume the patient from within.

It’s hard to believe a story about students who lost their sight due to fear just before a test. Similarly, the story of a sixty-year-old woman who loses mobility in her legs because she believes she has a tumor in her spine seems exaggerated and difficult to understand.

Is it real?

It may be very hard to believe. But there’s a lot of evidence that things like this happen every day. They perform continuously and all over the world. As a result, neurologists and specialist psychologists have quickly learned to give patients with psychosomatic disorders the space to talk about what is happening to them. If they say they’re in pain, it’s probably real, even if it won’t show up on an MRI scan or in a blood test.

So it is essential to acknowledge the suffering of these patients. The same goes for patients with depression who say they have suicidal thoughts or a person with schizophrenia who has visions and hallucinations. For these realities exist in their minds. In addition, they can be devastating. Our minds may be traumatized or subject to intense anxiety. Then when our mind takes control, anything is possible.

Psychosomatic Disorders: Is It Really All in My Head?

Psychosomatic disorders include all sets of symptoms that have no physical or biological connection. It is the pains and limitations that are purely the result of mental processes. We know this can make you wonder  if it’s really all in your head?

The truth is that the field of research on this subject still holds many secrets. But what we do know is that this variety of physical disorders related to mental stress are linked to the brain. After all, the nerve impulses in the brain are then overactive when they communicate with the different areas of the body.

Who suffers?

• The patients also exhibit other characteristics. There is an excess of adrenaline in the blood and some altered biological parameters. For example, an accelerated metabolism of glucose or amino acids is also observed.
• At the same time, scientists have shown that some people are more prone to psychosomatic disorders. Patients who live with high levels of anxiety or who have had a traumatic childhood due to abuse or neglect are more likely to experience these types of disorders.

But there is something more important than understanding or not understanding what causes psychosomatic illness. Imagine a doctor explaining to his patient that what she is imagining is not real. He tells her that the chest pain is not a heart attack. She has not lost her voice because there is a problem with her vocal cords. Or her terrible migraines aren’t caused by a tumor. It is good to tell a patient what he or she does not have. But how do we help them heal what they  do have,  if it’s all in their mind?

Problems Caused by the Mind

Psychosomatic disorders can affect any organ, system, tissue or structure. Their influence can also be intense. So we should not underestimate the power of our mind. It is also important that we distinguish between a somatic symptom disorder and a psychosomatic disorder. In the first case, there are never any physical symptoms. But in the latter case, there is visible damage in the body (for example, stomach ulcers). Here are some examples of these diseases:

• The most classic examples of psychosomatic disorders are skin diseases such as eczema, hives, infections, acne, and so on…
• Other common symptoms include high blood pressure, tachycardia, difficulty breathing and sharp chest pain.
• Digestive system disorders are also very common. The most common are irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers.
• Intense headaches and migraines are also very common.
• Another symptom is memory loss.
• Bronchial asthma can also be a symptom.
• Menstrual pain, menstrual disorders.
• Hair loss is a typical psychosomatic disorder.
• In extreme cases, some patients even experience temporary blindness, paralysis of a limb, fainting, and so on.

What is the treatment for psychosomatic diseases?

In the treatment of these diseases there are two approaches. On the one hand, the first and obvious approach is to treat the physical symptom that the patient exhibits (ulcers, infection, eczema…). But in these cases, the most important thing is to find out the origin of the problem. In other words, one must understand the psychological roots of the problem. For it is that unresolved mental tension that manifests itself in varying degrees in the body.

The ways of treating these cases also differ. They always depend on the specific details of each case. Sometimes the best course of action is to try different therapies and see which therapy works best for the patient. The therapist can then try out techniques and observe which have the most positive results.

• Relaxation techniques are always very effective.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy is extremely helpful in teaching patients new ways to manage their problems. They will understand the way their mind works and set realistic life goals. In addition, they learn to recognize the thinking patterns that they need to change. That will help them to have a more positive lifestyle.
• Another type of therapy that has similar positive results is psychoanalysis. This therapy is effective in treating mental and emotional conflict and anxiety disorders.
• Also some group therapies such as psychodrama (designed by Jacob Levy Moreno) can help. This is yet another helpful, stimulating and satisfying strategy. Therapists can try this technique and see if it yields positive results in their patients.

We conclude with this entry. Finding a solution for the patients suffering from psychosomatic diseases is an important challenge for doctors today. Because reality is sometimes very difficult for these patients. It deserves our attention and sensitivity.